EDWARDSVILLE -- Edwardsville coach Lori Blade has a good problem when it comes to looking at her roster.

Blade, in her 15th season with the Tigers, must find playing time for a roster loaded with depth and talent.

There is also an advantage.

“It makes it easy to pick up where we left off, situationally,” said Blade, who is 424-79 with EHS and 683-109 overall in 22 seasons.

Edwardsville went 28-5 last season and won the Southwestern Conference championship for the fifth straight season.

The Tigers lost to Belleville West in extra innings in the regional championship game. EHS last failed to win a regional in 2011.

“We ran into a team that was playing really, really well in the regional and pulled off two upsets. That happens in this game sometimes,” Blade said. “We do have a good core coming back. The kids are working hard and looking forward to another big season.”

With nine seniors, including six returning starters in the bunch, the Tigers look to have the pieces for a big season.

The Tigers must replace center fielder Sarah Hangsleben, who hit .435 with nine homers and 48 RBIs. She is now at Villanova.

“We have to solidify the outfield. That’s going to be the biggest concern,” Blade said.

Senior Lauren Taplin, who hit .432 with 17 RBIs and was a first-team All-SWC selection, will move from left field to center field.

Senior Brooke Webber, a .373 hitter, will shift to left field from right, and the Tigers will have a number of options for left field.

“Taplin is ready to move over and Brooke is back. We will try to find some kids -- out of three or four -- for left,” Blade said.

One of the options for right field is Maria Smith.

Smith, an All-SWC first-team selection, hit .424 with three homers and 39 RBIs last season as a freshman third baseman. She hit No. 4 in the lineup.

If Smith moves to right, third base options include freshman Lexi Gorniak.

The Tigers are experienced up the middle of the diamond with senior shortstop Anna Burke and senior second baseman Emma Lewis, an All-SWC first-team selection.

Burke hit .427 with three homers and 32 RBIs, while Lewis hit .362 with a homer and 18 RBIs last year.